Alexander Savichev: I understand that I will not give up Syser. How am I without her and she without me

How did you become a guide?

 

I have been studying the history of Syserty for 11 years. In the process of local history, I always rejoiced at what I found, like I was Indiana Jones. He was constantly telling his friends about the city. And three years ago, my comrades offered me to become a tour guide, saying: “You tell interesting stories, you can listen for hours!” I liked the idea. In 2014, I opened my own tour bureau.

 

 

 

 

Each guide has its own style of communication and presentation of material. How would you describe yourself?

 

I try to be charismatic and tell what I know about the city and its history with humor. I'm even kidding myself. Not only do I talk about history, but I show it to myself. For example, I have T-shirts with the image of Sysert citizen - writer Pavel Petrovich Bazhov, and a lot of badges. Many tourists say: it’s great that for my tour guide portfolio I use archival and private materials that can not be found on the Internet.

 

Do you travel a lot? What are your biggest impressions of travel?

 

Mostly I travel to places associated with Serty. For example, in St. Petersburg I was looking for paintings donated by our factory owners in the Hermitage. In Moscow, in the exposition of the local history museum, there is a cannon cast in our country. Cheese can be found even in France or China. I have plenty of places to travel for years to come.

 

You conduct non-standard excursions in Syserti. Tell me, please, what is their peculiarity?

 

- The first non-standardity of my excursions is generally the Syserti tour itself. Many travel agencies do not even bring groups to the city itself: they say that there is nothing to watch and listen to. Other non-standard moments are related to the presentation. I give excursions in the evening or at night, with lanterns, in the unlit places of the city. And I also use different approaches to deciphering Sysert history. For example, in May, I created a tour where Syserty's story is viewed through the prism of women's personal stories.

 

Your favorite place in Syserty?

 

My favorite place in Syserty -- I even call it a place of power -- is a dam. You come in and you get even healthier. The first building built in the city. Since its construction, we have been counting the history of Syserty.

 

Would you like to take a trip to another city, country?

 

Sometimes when I travel, listening to other guides, I ask myself this question. But soon I realize that I will not quit. How am I without her and she without me?

 

 

Tell us about your participation in the contest “The best guide of Russia”. How did you find out about him, how did you prepare?

 

I first learned about the competition from my friend, colleague, member of the youth department of the Russian Geographical Society, but at the same time, in the process of stormy affairs and the season of excursions, I forgot about it. In July, many of my friends, colleagues, and comrades were asking: Why haven’t they seen my video yet? And on the last day of the reception, the video was filmed. I didn’t prepare for it, because it’s my life and work – I just told you everything. It is a pity, however, that it was possible to shoot the video for only 2 minutes. For me, it's just "toss the rod."

 

Your wishes to other participants of the contest "Best guide of Russia".

 

I wish participants, friends, colleagues, guides and guides health and always a bright voice, because this is the main tool. Please remember that the race is just a game. My main task is to educate people!

 

Why should I come to you for a tour?

 

I get asked this question a lot and it is quite selfish. I will say this: I am one of the local historians-architects in Syserty. But everything I found, I need to share. I already have 15 students, and each of them has its own twist. There will be competition and choice soon.

 

The interview was prepared by P.M.

Photos: from the personal archive of Alexander Savichev